Britain really does need a debate this conference season. Shame it won’t get one

Leaders of failed coups either have to get out of town or abase themselves before their still-reigning targets. Gordon Brown, who feels his future career opportunities are greater in Britain than anywhere else, chose the latter course, trundling from television studio to television studio to profess his admiration for his long-time friend, Tony Blair.

Blair’s profession of surprise at the coup is just about as genuine as Brown’s professions of loyalty. He did, after all, play the matador, waving a red cape in front of the Brown bull by refusing, in his interview with the Times, to give a date for his retirement from the ring. Predictably, the impatient bull, already pricked by outriding picadors, charged — on to the waiting blade of the matador. But not before fatally goring his tormentor. Thus was the mutual suicide pact between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown consummated. Blair has to depart at a time and under circumstances not of his choosing.